r/NerisTruthers

Alright I posted it on tumblr when it first occurred to me but someone suggested I might also post it here. This is my first post on reddit, until now I've only been lurking, or rarely commenting.

So here is what I found reading SF with my Neris goggles firmly strapped on: in chapter 17, Nesta and the House of Wind exchange gifts. Nesta gives the house a smutty romance novel (we all know she loves those). And what does the House gift her in return?! A "bouquet of autumnal flowers, [...] bursting with asters and chrysanthemums of every color" 👀

Now I am reading too much into this, because it probably just signifies that it's Autumn outside at that moment. Still... it's a magic house making things appear from thin air. It could have easily gotten roses for Nesta instead, the standard flower gift. Or sunflowers, as some cheeky "cheer up!" sort of gift. Since the House was made by Nesta and shares her taste, I feel we can at least take this as proof that Nesta likes colorful Autumn flowers. Which could all mean nothing of course. (And yet.. 👀)

And for your extra amusement, since I am already in "wild theory/speculation" land, I decided to also look up the flower meanings for these two specific flowers, asters and chrysanthemums. Now I admit flower symbolism seems to me a bit like horoscopes, with lots of vague meanings that can apply to basically everything, but these meanings seem to fit Nesta really well (and perhaps even a Neris romance, if we stretch it).

First of all: both asters and especially chrysanthemums, since they bloom so late in autumn, can have a slightly melancholy meaning of rememberance and are used as funeral/grave flowers – very fitting for Lady Death, and Nesta's grief/ battle with depression.

Then, chrysanthemums: they have a long association with nobility/emperors in China and Japan. Additionally, in China the flower supposedly stands for Autumn, and the virtue of honesty. Again, it fits Nesta ("Queen"; and her honesty does get her into trouble after all), and it also is a possible connection to Autumn and its ruling noble family. (There are other meanings too of course, like longevity, good fortune, or friendship.)

Next, the aster: the flower has its name from the greek goddess Astraea and the tale that this virginal goddess, the personification of justice and purity, wept over the earth and asters blossomed. As a flower remaining in Autumn after the other flowers have gone, it symbolises fidelity and patience, the common meaning being "a love that waits/ takes its time". Just in general, the theme of waiting and quiet devotion/fidelity does fit Nesta in Silver Flames. Perhaps even the association with a justice goddess. (And perhaps some patience and waiting is needed from a certain someone after his marriage proposal was rejected, no? 😜) Being extra cheeky with the symbolism: ever since the Hungarian "aster revolution" in 1918, it has also become a symbol of liberty (and rebelling against being denied it, I'd assume).

Asters can also symbolize the wish things had turned out differently (NERIS! – "My offer was sincere" 😭😭)

Anyways, I do not really expect the bouquet to mean anything. But it is a fun little breadcrumb for theories. Hope you enjoyed my post on it!